Thousands Will Head to SDCCU Stadium this Week for the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl

The Washington State Cougars and Michigan State Spartans to meet at SDCCU® Stadium on December 28

San Diego CA— San Diego County Credit Union® (SDCCU®), is the proud title sponsor of this year’s San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, which will celebrate its 40th game. Kickoff for the 2017 game is at SDCCU Stadium in San Diego at 6 p.m., Thursday, December 28.

The game will be broadcast live before a nationwide audience on FS1, with coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST. The bowl game will match the Washington State Cougars against the Michigan State Spartans—the first top 20 matchup for the Holiday Bowl since 2008.

Michigan State finished the regular season 9-3 (and 7-2 in the Big Ten). The Spartans notched victories against top 10-ranked teams Michigan and Penn State. The team is led by 11th year head coach Mark Dantonio. The Spartans will be making their first appearance in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl. This will be Michigan State’s 10th bowl game appearance under Dantonio, the most for any coach in the program’s history. The Spartans’ overall bowl game record is 11-15.

Washington State completed the regular season 9-3 (and 6-3 in the Pac-12). Their victories against nationally ranked teams included USC and Stanford. Cougars head coach Mike Leach is now in his sixth year leading the program. This year will mark Washington State’s fourth time competing in the SDCCU Holiday Bowl, where their record is 1-2. The Cougars lost to Minnesota 17-12 in 2016. Washington State beat Texas 28-20 in 2003, and lost to BYU 38-36 in 1981. The program’s overall bowl game record is 7-6.

Michigan State and Washington State have played head-to-head seven times, with the Spartans leading the series 5-2. The two teams last played together in 1977.

“This year’s San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl is bound to be an exciting game between these two teams that had spectacular seasons, both ending in a top 20 ranking. With all the festivities happening the day of the bowl, along with the celebration of the 40th game, there will be quite a show at SDCCU Stadium on December 28,” said SDCCU President and CEO Teresa Halleck.

All ticket holders receive access to the Global Winter Wonderland FanZone, the ultimate pregame fan experience. Attendees can sample local craft brews in the beer garden, take part in interactive combine-style football skills challenges, watch a live bowl game or sports action in the sports lounge and enjoy some of San Diego’s best local food trucks. This is all happening at the Global Winter Wonderland FanZone in the parking lot at SDCCU Stadium before the kickoff of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl.

Access to the Global Winter Wonderland FanZone is free with a game ticket. Beer Garden wristbands are available for $20 online or $25 at the gate on game day. Must be 21+ with valid ID to enter Beer Garden. Please drink responsibly.

Also, all SDCCU Holiday Bowl ticket holders will be given exclusive access to discounts at local restaurants, bars and attractions. Check the discount information listed on your game ticket to receive exclusive offers around San Diego during Bowl Week!

Tickets for the 2017 San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl range from $45 to $185 and can be purchased through the bowl’s ticket office at SDCCU Stadium, Window B, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by calling (619) 285-5039. Tickets also can be purchased online at holidaybowl.com, or through TicketMaster® at (800) 745-3000 or at any TicketMaster outlet. For more information, visit sdccu.com.

Biz Kid$ has been named the beneficiary of the 2017 San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, which means $1 from each ticket sold to this year’s game will be donated to help teach kids in San Diego about money and business. Launched in 2008 in partnership with the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF), Biz Kid$ is an award-winning comprehensive financial literacy program focused on teaching kids how to use credit wisely and the importance of saving, budgeting, investing and giving back to their communities.

According to the San Diego Bowl Game Association, the non-profit entity that produces the game, the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl generates millions of dollars into the San Diego economy during a week when the region’s tourism industry is at one of its slowest times of the year. The mission of the Association is to generate tourism, exposure, economic benefit and civic pride for San Diego and its citizens by producing the nation’s most exciting bowl games and festival of activities. Officials report that in four decades, San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl games have added more than $680 million in combined revenue into the local economy. The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl is the only college football bowl game among America’s 39 college football bowl games to have a credit union as a title sponsor.

SDCCU’s title sponsorship of the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl is one of many ways that SDCCU gives back to the community. As a not-for-profit organization rooted in helping others, SDCCU is a long-time supporter of more than 75 different local non-profit organizations annually, including the San Diego County Office of Education, Rady Children’s Hospital, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, San Diego Blood Bank and Scripps Health Foundation, to name a few. At the local level, branches are actively involved in Chambers of Commerce and support charitable organizations and events through sponsorships and active volunteerism.